Christmas in Bayberry

“Understood. But does that mea

n we have to be enemies?”

“Enemies? Hey, I don’t invite people I don’t like to share my hot chocolate and a meatball sub on my tailgate.”

“What about the freezing cold part?” He gave her a teasing smile.

“And here I was going to take you on that tour of the town that I promised you, but it looks like we’ll have to do it another time.”

Wes nodded. “Maybe when it warms up. Say, maybe July.”

Kate laughed. “Or we get you some warmer clothes. In fact, I think it’s something we need to do right away. Otherwise, you might be an ice cube by Christmas.”

“After work will be soon enough.”

They stayed at the town square until one o’clock to collect food items from Bayberry’s residents. By the time they headed back to the candle factory, the bed of the pickup was overflowing with large cardboard boxes. And Kate promised there would be plenty more come the weekend sale.

He snuck a glance at her as she drove back to the candle company. She really hadn’t changed much from how he remembered her. She was still outgoing and friendly.

And once again, he was starting to feel something more than friendship toward her. He refused to name these emotions because as soon as his work was finished, he was leaving Bayberry. His home was now in the city. And soon he hoped to have that promotion.

Chapter Ten

It had been a really nice lunch.

And the food hadn’t been bad, either.

Kate smiled, thinking of Wes wearing her Santa gloves. All in all, he’d been a really good sport about the rather unusual lunch. And he’d been helpful.

Thanks to Wes, Kate had gotten the supplies unloaded into the warehouse in no time. It gave her time to make a follow-up phone call regarding her Christmas surprise for the town. She smiled with satisfaction. No one knew about it. Not even her aunt. And that’s the way it was going to stay until the Christmas baskets were handed out.

Once her phone call was placed and the date of delivery was confirmed, she had one more errand to run before she went back to work. She needed to check in on her aunt and Fred. It wasn’t like her aunt to be away from the business for such an extended period. Kate worried that Fred’s injuries were more serious than they’d originally thought.

She headed to Fred’s bungalow, which was situated just off Main Street near the candle company. She didn’t even get a chance to knock on the door before it swung open. There stood her aunt, looking casual in blue jeans and a red-and-white Christmas sweater.

“Come in. Hurry. It’s so cold out there.” Aunt Penney moved to the side and made an exaggerated imitation of shivering.

Kate stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Her gaze moved to the crackling fire in the fireplace. And that’s when she noticed Fred on the couch. “Hi. How are you doing?”

“Much better. Your aunt is the best nurse.”

Aunt Penney blushed. “Oh hush, Fred. I feel really bad that you got hurt. If I hadn’t asked you—”

“It’s not your fault,” he said firmly. “It was my fault for getting distracted.”

As the two argued, Kate could tell there was something brewing between them. When her aunt and Fred looked at each other, there was more going on than the banter of casual friends. Did that mean her aunt finally saw Fred in a new light? Hope bloomed in Kate’s heart.

Then Penney turned to her niece with concern. “Kate, what’s the matter?”

“Why would you think something is wrong?” Kate asked.

“Because you’re supposed to be working. I figured if you’re here that something must be wrong.”

“Relax. Everything is fine. I just unloaded a bunch of food in the warehouse for the Christmas baskets.”

“Oh.” A smile replaced the worried look on Aunt Penney’s face. “That’s good. How did it go?”

“Really well. Wes helped me and it went quickly.”